HOUSEHOLD AND CAMP INSECTS 55 



are deposited in convenient places and the young grubs develop 

 rather rapidly. It is probable that there are not more than two 

 generations in the North, though the insects are active in warm 

 houses throughout the year. The black carpet beetle has very 

 similar habits though the development of its grub appears to be 

 much slower. It appears to be the more abundant species in 

 Albany at the present writing. This latter insect is known to feed 

 upon feathers and has been reared in flour and meal. Woolens are 

 more liable to injury than other fabrics. 



Control measures. Obviously it is advisable to destroy the 

 beetles found about houses before they have had an opportunity 

 of laying eggs. It is desirable to avoid bringing the pests into the 

 house with flowers. Both of these insects breed in organic matter, 

 presumably in outbuildings or outdoors, as well as within, fly to 

 the flowers and may then, in the case of the Buffalo carpet beetle 

 at least, be carried into dwellings before eggs are deposited. The 

 substitution of rugs or matting for carpets is advised in localities 

 where the pests are destructive. 



Infested carpets should be taken up and thoroughly cleaned, 

 and if badly infested, sprayed with benzine. This latter should 

 invariably be done outdoors, owing to the extreme inflammability 

 of this oil. Local injury can frequently be stopped by passing a 

 hot iron over a damp cloth laid on the affected part of the carpet. 

 The steam penetrates the fabric and destroys the pest in its retreat. 

 The danger of subsequent injury can be largely avoided by filling 

 all cracks and crevices in poorly constructed floors with putty, 

 plaster of paris or a crack filler. Laying tarred paper under a 

 carpet has been frequently advised as a preventive. 



These insects can undoubtedly be destroyed by fumigation with 

 burning sulphur, bisulphide of carbon or hydrocyanic acid gas. 

 The first named is frequently employed and though the fumes are 

 very pungent, liable to blacken silver and cause other damage, par- 

 ticularly if considerable moisture is present, it is one of the safest 

 fumigants. Bisulphide of carbon, on account of its inflammability, 

 is hardly a safe material to employ in dwellings. Hydrocyanic 

 acid gas has been used extensively in the last decade for the destruc- 

 tion of household pests. Directions for using it are given on 

 page 74. 



For the treatment of garments and furs stored during warm 

 weather, or kept in clothes presses, see the discussion on page 5. 



